Utensil for extracting brain matter from cattle

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a utensil (10) for extracting a sample of cerebral matter, particularly the brain stem from cattle, for laboratory analysis purposes, characterized in that it comprises a manipulation handle (12), at the front end of which is arranged a hollow part forming an extraction spoon (14), and the peripheral edge of which comprises at least one cutting portion (22, 26, 30) for cutting into the sample prior to its extraction.

[0001] The present invention relates to a utensil for extracting asample of viscera for laboratory, medical or veterinary analysispurposes.

[0002] The invention relates in particular to a utensil for extractingthe brain stem located in the cranial cavity of cattle.

[0003] In order to pursue an effective health policy, it has been foundnecessary to be able to carry out massive campaigns involving takingsamples of brain tissue from cattle in order to carry out veterinaryanalysis to determine whether the animal from which the sample has beentaken is affected by a disease such as Bovine Spungiform Encephalopathyor BSE.

[0004] In the case of cattle, the part concerned consists, for example,of the brain stem located in the skull of the cattle.

[0005] In order to access this brain stem which is in the continuationof the spinal cord, it is necessary to access the rear part of the baseof the skull of the cattle, then to uncover the occiputal orificethrough which access can be had to the brain case.

[0006] In this situation, it is necessary to be able to take the sampleas accurately as possible, given the number of samples to be taken,while at the same time avoiding damaging the sample before the analysisoperations, and also observing hygiene and cleanliness requirements.

[0007] The extraction operation has traditionally been performed using ascalpel or similar cutting tool that allows the brain stem to be cut,and more precisely detached and extracted from the cranial cavity.

[0008] Indeed the brain stem forms part of the encephalon andconstitutes the caudal and ventral part of this organ. It is linked withthe spinal cord at the rear and with the cerebellum and cerebralhemispheres at the front. Most of the roots of the cranial nerves emergelaterally from it.

[0009] The operation which consists in detaching the brain stem istherefore an operation which is complicated to perform using a scalpeland requires great skill on the part of the person taking the sample.

[0010] Once the cutting has been performed, the extract or sample thenhas to be collected under the conditions mentioned above.

[0011] The extraction operation therefore entails, overall, according tothe state of the art, the use of at least two tools, one for cutting andthe other for extracting in order to collect the sample and isparticularly complicated to perform.

[0012] In the case of each tool—cutting and extracting—it is alsonecessary to clean these and sterilize them between each extractionoperation in order not to contaminate one sample with remains of thesample extracted previously and which are deposited on the tools.

[0013] Given the above, it has been found desirable to be able to have anew tool for taking such samples which overcomes the drawbacks whichhave just been mentioned and which is preferably of a low cost so thatit can be disposable, that is to say so that a separate tool can be usedfor each extraction.

[0014] To this end, the invention provides a utensil for extracting asample of cerebral matter, particularly from the brain stem located inthe cranial cavity of cattle, for laboratory, medical or veterinaryanalysis purposes, characterized in that it comprises a manipulationhandle, at the front end of which is arranged a hollow part forming anextraction spoon, and the peripheral edge of which comprises at leastone cutting portion for cutting into the sample prior to its extraction.

[0015] By virtue of the design according to the invention, there is thusavailable a single utensil or tool which allows the operation of takingthe sample to be performed ergonomically and easily.

[0016] Its particularly simple design allows it to be produced veryeconomically, for example in a single piece moulded of plastic, and itmay thus be a one-use utensil, that is to say that the utensil can beproduced at a very low cost and disposed of after the extractionoperation, or may alternatively constitute a temporary means oftransferring the sample contained in the extraction spoon.

[0017] According to other features of the invention:

[0018] the peripheral edge of the spoon comprises two longitudinalportions parallel to the overall axis of the utensil and produced in theform of cutting portions;

[0019] the peripheral edge of the spoon comprises a transverse free endportion roughly perpendicular to the overall axis of the utensil andproduced in the form of a cutting portion;

[0020] the transverse cutting free end portion has sawteeth;

[0021] the longitudinal portions of the edge of the spoon are connectedto the transverse free end portion by connecting portions produced inthe form of cutting portions;

[0022] each cutting portion is produced by virtue of a reduction in thethickness of the spoon near its peripheral edge so as to produce acutting filament;

[0023] the concave side of the spoon has at least one projectionintended to hold the sample in the spoon while it is being extracted;

[0024] each projection has an inclined front face to make it easier forthe utensil to be introduced forwards, and a transverse retaining rearface which runs in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thespoon;

[0025] in cross section on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the spoon, the concave face thereof has a profile in the shapeof an arc of a circle.

[0026] Other features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from reading the detailed description which will follow, for anunderstanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings,among which:

[0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the utensil according to theinvention;

[0028]FIG. 2 is a view from above of the utensil of FIG. 1;

[0029]FIG. 3 is a view in longitudinal section on 3-3 of FIG. 2.

[0030] In the embodiment depicted in the figures, the utensil hasoverall symmetry of design with respect to a longitudinal verticalmid-plane passing through its longitudinal axis L-L.

[0031] In order to make the description and claims easier to understand,we will use a vertical orientation of the spoon, that is to say that thespoon will extend in a horizontal overall plane with its concave sidefacing vertically upwards while its roughly parallel convex side facesvertically downwards.

[0032] The utensil 10 consists mainly of a manipulation handle 12 theoverall shape of which is elongate along a central longitudinal axisL-L.

[0033] The figures depict a utensil 10 made in accordance with theteachings of the invention and which is more particularly suited here tothe extraction of the brain stem from the cranial cavity of cattle.

[0034] The handle 12 is continued beyond its front end in the form of anextraction spoon 14.

[0035] The overall shape of the spoon is elongate along the axis L-L andthe profile is in the shape of an arc of a cylinder, verticallydelimited at the top by a concave side 16 and vertically delimited atthe bottom by a convex side 18.

[0036] The spoon 14 is delimited longitudinally towards the rear end bya transverse rear face 20 facing generally vertically and with aslightly rounded profile as can be seen in particular in FIG. 1.

[0037] The concave profile 16 of the spoon is, in section on atransverse vertical plane perpendicular to the axis L-L, a profile inthe shape of an arc of a circle which is roughly constant right alongthe spoon, so as to give the latter a profile which overall is in theshape of an arc of a cylinder.

[0038] The spoon is laterally delimited by two parallel and oppositelongitudinal edges 22 and is delimited longitudinally towards the frontend by a transverse free end front edge 24, the opposite transverse endsof which are connected to the front longitudinal ends 28 of thelongitudinal edges 22 by two connecting portions 30.

[0039] The longitudinal edges 22 are parallel straight edges while thefront transverse edge 24 is itself also approximately straight andperpendicular to the axis L-L while the connecting portions 30 may bestraight or slightly curved so as to make the connection between theedges 22 and 24.

[0040] According to an essential feature of the invention, the variouslongitudinal portions 22 and transverse portions 24 of the overallperipheral edge of the spoon 14 are made in the form of cutting portionsallowing the cutting operations to be performed by manipulating theutensil 10.

[0041] Each cutting edge or portion is preferably made by virtue of athinning of material, that is to say by virtue of a reduced thickness ofthe spoon near its peripheral edge by comparison with the averagethickness of the spoon between its concave side 16 and convex side 18.

[0042] The front free end transverse edge 24 is a cutting portion andmay also have teeth 32 which extend longitudinally forward to constitutea cutting and toothed edge in the manner of a toothed cutter, also knownas a serrated cutter.

[0043] In order to produce a cutting filament more easily, particularlyin the case of the front free end portion 24, it may be desirable toform a small flat 33, whose intersection with the external envelope ofthe convex bottom side 18 defines the cutting edge.

[0044] In the embodiment depicted in the figures, the concave internalside 16 of the extraction spoon 14 has four identical projections orstuds 34 for retaining the sample taken.

[0045] The four projections are in this instance arranged in the form oftwo pairs of projections aligned longitudinally one behind the other.

[0046] Each projection formed in relief or projecting vertically upwardsin the concave side 16 has a front face 36 which, overall, is inclinedwith respect to the plane at the bottom of the spoon and a transverserear retaining face 38 oriented vertically and perpendicular to the axisL-L.

[0047] As a preference, particularly to make the spoon easier tomanufacture in a moulding operation of plastic in a single piece, thefront face 36 of each projection 34 is in the form of a rounded andinclined boss.

[0048] The design according to the invention, in which the spoon 14 islocated roughly in the longitudinal continuation of the handle 12,possibly making a small angle of about 10° with respect to the latter,makes it possible for the utensil 10 to be produced easily by mouldingof plastic in a single operation, the moulding operation also making itpossible to produce a handle 12 which is hollow, with strengthening ribs40.

[0049] In the case of a utensil for extracting the brain stem fromcattle, the transverse width of the spoon, that is to say the distanceseparating its two longitudinal edges or portions 22 is about 30millimetres, while the length of the spoon is about 80 millimetres.

[0050] In the case of the extraction mentioned earlier in cattle, theutensil just described is used as follows.

[0051] Having uncovered access to the occiputal cavity, the user, forexample a veterinary surgeon, introduces the spoon longitudinallyforwards, preferably holding it upside down, that is to say with itsconcave side facing downwards, that is to say towards the ventral partof the encephalon.

[0052] In order to perform correct and sufficient extraction, the spoonneeds to be guided, with the convex side uppermost, in a gradualforwards movement along the axis of the medulla oblongata, from theocciputal hole and under the dura mater.

[0053] The cerebral cavity is entered. The anterior edge of the spooncuts the base of the cerebellum, isolating the cerebellar peduncles(anterior, middle and posterior) using the toothed cutting edge 24, 32.

[0054] By rotating the spoon from left to right and from right to left,the roots of the cranial nerves are severed using the cutting edges 22.

[0055] Thus isolated, the brain stem is cut off at the rear of thequadrigeminal bodies using a movement involving tilting the tip of thespoon obliquely downwards and backwards and using the serrated edges 24,32.

[0056] There is then the matter of severing the neck of the medullaoblongata in order to definitively isolate the extract, using theserrated edge 24, 32.

[0057] In doing this, the entire sample can be extracted from thecerebral cavity through the occiputal hole.

[0058] Likewise, as the spoon is introduced, its front transversecutting edge 24, 32 plays a part in the cutting operation.

[0059] The various cutting edges allow the sample to be detached fromthe adjacent spinal cord and make it possible to sever the nerves ornerve endings.

[0060] Once these cutting and isolation operations have been completed,the user can introduce the spoon longitudinally once again, this timethe right way up, to collect the annular protuberance and extract itfrom the cavity.

[0061] During introduction, the projecting projections or bosses 34 donot impair insertion because their front face 36 is inclined, whereasthey do play a part in retaining the sample to allow it to be extractedrearwards, by virtue of their vertical rear transverse face 38.

[0062] The utensil according to the invention, as has just beendescribed, therefore makes it possible to perform the operations oftaking samples of viscera without having to resort to any additionalcutting or severing tool, and thereafter makes the sample easier tomanipulate in so far as it can be produced at low cost in the form of adisposable object.

[0063] Of course the invention is not restricted to the extraction ofbrain stem from cattle, but can, for example, also be used, by adaptingthe dimensions of the product to suit, for extracting bone marrow frominside a long bone in the medullary cavity thereof.

1. Utensil (10) for extracting a sample of viscera, particularlycerebral matter such as the brain stem located in the cranial cavity ofcattle, for laboratory analysis purposes, characterized in that itcomprises a manipulation handle (12), at the front end of which isarranged a hollow part forming an extraction spoon (14), and theperipheral edge of which comprises at least one cutting portion (22, 26,30) for cutting into the sample prior to its extraction.
 2. Utensilaccording to the preceding claim, characterized in that the peripheraledge of the spoon (14) comprises two longitudinal portions (22) parallelto the overall axis of the utensil and produced in the form of cuttingportions.
 3. Utensil according to any one of the preceding claims,characterized in that the peripheral edge of the spoon (14) comprises atransverse free end portion (26) roughly perpendicular to the overallaxis (L-L) of the utensil (10) and produced in the form of a cuttingportion.
 4. Utensil according to the preceding claim, characterized inthat the transverse cutting free end portion (26) has sawteeth (30). 5.Utensil according to either of claims 3 and 4 taken in combination withclaim 2, characterized in that the longitudinal portions (22) of theedge of the spoon (14) are connected to the transverse free end portion(26) by connecting portions (30) produced in the form of cuttingportions.
 6. Utensil according to any one of the preceding claims,characterized in that each cutting portion (22, 26, 30) is produced byvirtue of a reduction in the thickness of the spoon (140) near itsperipheral edge so as to produce a cutting filament.
 7. Utensilaccording to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that theconcave side (16) of the spoon has at least one projection (34) intendedto hold the sample in the spoon (14) while it is being extracted. 8.Utensil according to the preceding claim, characterized in that eachprojection (34) has an inclined front face (36) to make it easier forthe utensil to be introduced forwards, and a transverse retaining rearface (38) which runs in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis(L-L) of the spoon (14).
 9. Utensil according to any one of thepreceding claims, characterized in that, in cross section on a planeperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spoon (14), the concaveface (16) thereof has a profile in the shape of an arc of a circle. 10.Utensil according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized inthat it is made as a single piece by moulding of plastic.